Weihnachtswaldmarkt Wildwald Vosswinkel, Arnsberg, Germany 2026: Dates, Tickets and Forest Christmas Market

Welcome to the Weihnachtswaldmarkt Wildwald Vosswinkel 2026 in Arnsberg

The Weihnachtswaldmarkt Wildwald Vosswinkel 2026 turns the Luerwald forest in Arnsberg into a quiet woodland Christmas market among trees, candlelight and timber huts. It is open on 5 and 6 December and on 12 and 13 December 2026, from 10:00 to 20:00 each day, at Wildwald Vosswinkel, Bellingsen 5. Organisers call it “a little different”: not a town square, but crafts, winter nature and Advent atmosphere deep in the forest of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Highlights & Attractions at Weihnachtswaldmarkt in Arnsberg

• More than 50 artisans and makers in wooden huts and market wagons set among winter trees and shrubs
• Natural cosmetics, soy-wax candles, felt and glasswork, woodturning, handmade jewellery, fretwork, ceramics and wool goods
• Forest food stalls with crepes, waffles, fish rolls, pastries, Christmas biscuits, lentil burgers, wild liver sausage and wild salami; vegetarian and vegan dishes are available
• Children’s craft sessions from midday in the forest school, plus hands-on candle dipping and rolling at several stalls
• Storytelling hours from 15:30 in the “Heiße Geiß” hut
• Game feeding with a ranger talk on all four market days, walking trails through the wildlife park, and a campfire at Haarhof farm on the red-deer loop
• Freshly cut Nordmann fir Christmas trees sold at the exit by the Arnsberg support association

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026

The forest Christmas market in Arnsberg is held only on the second and third weekends of Advent — four days in 2026, not every day between 5 and 13 December. Stalls open from 10:00 to 20:00 around the forest entrance house, the Hubertus hut and Haarhof. Goods stay close to the woodland setting: wood, wool, candles, natural cosmetics, cheese, jam, bread and game products rather than mass-market souvenirs. The quietest hours are early morning and dusk, when candlelight in the firs is strongest.

Families are best served from late morning: crafts start at midday in the forest school, and children can join in at many stands. From 15:30 the fairy-tale hour begins in the “Heiße Geiß” hut. Game feeding runs on all four days, and a market ticket also covers the wildlife park trails. Toilets are spread across the site; an accessible toilet sits under the large tent at the entrance.

Tickets & Admission for Weihnachtswaldmarkt Arnsberg

Admission in 2026 is 8 euros for adults and 4 euros for children aged 8 to 16. Children under 8 enter free and do not need a ticket. There are no group, family or other discounts on this reduced special-event price. Annual-pass holders of Wildwald Vosswinkel do not need an extra ticket. The Ruhrtopcard is not valid for this large event. Buy tickets online in the Wildwald shop or at the on-site box office; download online tickets at home before you travel. Parking is 2 euros; the fee supports youth work of the Menden volunteer fire brigade, which staffs the car parks.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Arnsberg

• By car, set the sat-nav to Bellingsen 5, 59757 Arnsberg; the park sits on the B7 between Menden and Arnsberg-Neheim. By public transport, take a bus from Wickede (Ruhr) or Neheim-Hüsten station towards Vosswinkel, alight at Am Stakelberg, then follow the signed footpath for about 15 minutes. Car-sharing eases pressure on limited parking.
• December in the Sauerland can be wet, icy or lightly snowy. Wear waterproof winter boots, warm layers, a hat and gloves; paths are forest ground, not paved market streets.
• Book rooms early in Arnsberg, Neheim-Hüsten, Menden or Wickede (Ruhr). Both Advent weekends draw large crowds; waiting until November often leaves little choice.
• Dogs are banned throughout the wildlife park and therefore on the Christmas market. Accessible parking is near the entrance — speak to the parking team on arrival.
• To skip the longest queues, buy tickets online, arrive at 10:00 or after 16:00, and pick up a Christmas tree on the way out. Camper vans and caravans are generally not provided for on market days because space is reserved for day visitors.